DR. DANN WIGNER PUBLISHES NEW SPIRITUALITY BOOK

Dr. Dann Wigner, a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Lubbock and husband of Canterbury chaplain Mtr. Leann Wigner, recently published a new book entitled Word Song: A Mystical Theology. This book revives an old theological format, the sayings theology, in order to facilitate non-discursive thinking and experiences in both individual and group spiritual direction settings. Christian interest in non-discursive, or nondual, spirituality is on the rise. Interested Christians are often utilizing non-dual texts that originate from other religious traditions. While these other texts are entirely serviceable as far as they go, what about a text that is crafted from the mystical theology located within the Christian tradition itself. A Christian sayings theology has as its goal to cause one to pause and reflect, which opens the door to invite in non-discursive thinking. This theology is an explicitly mystical theology, rather than an analytic or systemic theology, because it is not about stating logically what Christians believe about God; it is about meeting God through reflection. As a result, these sayings raise questions more than settle them, creating an openness to meet God. It is this openness which is the most characteristic mark of a mystical theology.

Dann teaches religious studies classes at the university level and has offered workshops, seminars, and one-on-one direction in Christian contemplation. He has also written a number of books including Just Begin: A Sourcebook of Spiritual Practices and Thinking Spiritually in Small Groups: The Practice of Mystical Reflection.